The phrase "clam up" is a verb that means to stop talking or to refuse to speak, especially when you feel nervous or uncomfortable. Imagine a clam, which is a type of shellfish that closes up tightly in its shell—when someone "clams up," they are closing up their feelings or thoughts and not sharing them with others.
You can use "clam up" when talking about someone who suddenly stops speaking or becomes quiet, especially in a situation where they might usually talk. It’s often used informally in conversations.
In more advanced contexts, you might use "clam up" to discuss situations where someone feels pressure or fear, leading them to withdraw from conversation. For example: - "After the incident at school, the student clammed up and refused to discuss what happened."
There are no direct variants of "clam up," but you might consider related phrases or forms: - Clam: As a noun, it refers to the shellfish itself. - Clamming: This can refer to the act of collecting clams, but it is not commonly used in the context of speaking.
While "clam up" specifically refers to stopping talking, the word "clam" in other contexts can refer to the actual shellfish or can be used in phrases like "tight as a clam," meaning someone is very secretive or unwilling to share information.
Here are some synonyms for "clam up": - Shut up: To stop talking. - Fall silent: To become quiet. - Withdraw: To stop participating in a conversation.
While "clam up" is a phrasal verb itself, related idioms include: - "Keep it to yourself": To not share something with others. - "Bite your tongue": To stop yourself from saying something you want to say.